Bacon hanger

ABSTRACT

A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon characterized by support member, a force distributing strut member and a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members are attached to the bottom bar opposite the side of the prong assembly. The force is distributed in the hanger structure from the support member to the base frame by a generally vertical force distributing rod connecting the base frame and the support member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This present application relates to, and claims priority from, as acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/965,427 filed on Oct. 14,2004, now abandoned and entitled “Bacon Hanger.”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to equipment for supporting and handlingarticles, particularly meat products, in manufacturing and processingoperations and is more particularly concerned with improvements in baconhangers or combs for supporting pork bellies during processing to formslabs of bacon.

In the slaughtering or butchering of hogs the various portions or cutsinto which the animal carcass is divided are prepared for marketing bymeat packers and processors according to the type of cut and the form inwhich it is desired to present it to the consumer. Generally, cuts knownas pork bellies are processed by suspending them for a predeterminedtime in a processing area, such as a smoke house, or similar curingarea, where they are converted into slabs of bacon which may be suppliedto the consumer in a solid piece or cut into slices after sizing andpackaged to provide the familiar sliced bacon package.

In the conventional butchering and processing operation, pork belliesare transported from the butchering or cutting area to an area wherethey are located on bacon hangers, which serve to support the bellies ona tree or rack while they are being processed. When the processing orcuring is completed, the bacon slabs are removed from the hangersenabling reuse of the latter.

The bacon hangers which have been provided heretofore have been formedwith pointed prongs or teeth arranged as in a comb and mounted on aframe depending from a bracket member which is shaped or otherwiseformed for engaging an overhead rail, track bar, smokestick or the like.Generally, the hangers have been constructed so that the hanger teeth orprongs can be readily inserted into the relatively soft area along thetop ends of the bellies by holding the bellies and pressing the teethinto the same, with some portion of the frame serving as a handle forgripping it while guiding the teeth into the meat. During processing ofthe slab, the processing equipment together with the transportation ofthe bacon slab from place to place cause the bacon slab to swing backand forth. This swinging of the slab results in bending forces that areconcentrated in the hook section of the structure. The bending forcescause hardening of the hook shaft and subsequent structural failure ofthe hanger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improvedstructure for use in handling cuts of meat, particularly pork bellies,following butchering operations and during subsequent handling andprocessing operations.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a bacon hangerthat is specially adapted with a force distributing strut member suchthat the force distributing strut member distributes the forces andstresses encountered by the hanger during typical processing of a porkbelly or meat product. By distributing the forces, the present inventionprevents localized concentration of forces and stresses caused byswinging meat cuts during processing and transportation of the meat andthe subsequent failure of the hanger structure.

Another object of the invention to provide a new and improved hangerstructure that is especially adapted for suspending pork bellies andremoval of the hanger from the bellies so as to facilitate handling,storage, retrieval and processing to convert the bellies into slabs ofbacon.

The invention as disclosed and claimed herein comprises a typical baconhanger which will generally include a support member supporting anelongate support frame adapted to be disposed in a generally verticalplane, a plurality of spaced article engaging prongs extending generallynormal to the plane of the frame, and a force distributing strut memberconnected between the support member and the support frame. Examples oftypical bacon hangers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,522 and6,506,108, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The forcedistributing strut member is characterized by a member preferably weldedon the prong side of the hanger connecting the upper section of thesupport member to the support frame.

The aforesaid and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent upon consideration of the preferred form of thehanger structure which is illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein like parts are identified by the same numerals throughout theviews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of a hanger structure which is particularlyadapted for use in suspending cuts of meat in a processing area with thehanger being shown in the position it will assume when mounted on anoverhead support bar or rack member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hanger structure of FIG. 1 showingthe spaced relationship between the spaced cross bar and the forcedistributing strut member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hangerstructure of the present invention

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hangerstructure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hangerstructure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hangerstructure of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the drawings, the hanger 10 is designed particularlyfor use in suspending pork bellies for transportation and duringprocessing or curing, such as a smoke house, cooking oven or coolingarea. The hanger is designed so that it may be hung on a tree, on atruck, rail or rack and moved to or through the processing area orsystem where it may be supported in the same manner or carried on aconveyor, or the like, during the processing and subsequent handling.

To the extent that the hangers depicted in the accompanying figuresretain common or comparable elements from figure to figure, the samereference numerals will be applied to such elements, which will notalways be separately explained for such figure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hanger 10 of the present inventioncomprises an elongate supporting frame 12 which is secured in verticallydisposed depending relation on a hook-forming bracket 14 and whichcarries a prong assembly 16 of meat engaging prongs 18, which arearranged after the fashion of teeth in a comb, and which extend in acommon plane in a generally normal direction from one side of thevertical support frame 12 and along the bottom thereof. In addition tothe hook-forming bracket 14, the support frame 12 may be provided with ahand-gripping member 20 extending above the top of the support frame 12and in a plane inclined from the plane of the support frame 12 andslightly in the direction of the prong assembly 16. Connected betweenthe hook-forming bracket 14 and the support frame 12 is a forcedistributing strut member 75 which is preferably attached on the prongside of the upper portion 45 of the hook-forming bracket 14 and to prongside of the support frame 12. The support frame 12 includes a crossbar25 that is attached to the backside of leg formations 26, 26′ at abouttheir midpoint and a bottom-gripping member 30 that is attached to thefront side of the leg formations 26, 26′ at their lower end.

The prong assembly 16 includes a spacing cross bar 70 attached to thetopside of the prongs 18 and spaced from the bottom gripping member 30to create a space 74. The spaced cross bar 70 controls the extent towhich the prongs 18 are inserted into the pork belly 46. When the porkbelly 46 is mounted on the prong assembly 16 of the hanger 10, the space74 provides an opening that may be engaged by a mechanical device (notshown) often used in removing a bacon hanger 10 from a processed porkbelly 46.

The several elements of the hanger structure 10 in the form illustratedare fabricated from lengths of metal rod material, of suitable gauge,which are bent as shown and joined or connected by welding, or securedto each other in a similar manner. Preferably, the rod or bar materialwill be stainless steel to afford the most desirable sanitation beforeuse.

The elongate support frame 12 may be formed by bending a length of rodstock into a U-shape so as to form a relatively long bight portion,which serves as the top bar 24 of the support frame 12, and legformations 26, 26′ which are further bent intermediate their ends so asto provide the end prongs 28, 28′ in the prong assembly 16. The endprongs 28, 28′ extend in a plane at an angle slightly less than normalto the plane of the support frame 12 as best seen in FIG. 1. Thecrossbar 25 and the bottom gripping member 30 connect the two legformations 26, 26′ and are in spaced parallel relation below the top bar24 so as to form the generally rectangular frame support for the meatengaging prong assembly 16.

The prongs 18 intermediate the two end prongs 28, 28′ are formed inpairs and attached to the support frame 12. Each pair thereof is formedfrom a section or length of rod or bar stock by bending it into U-shapeto provide a bight portion 19 and spaced parallel leg formations 21. Theleg formations 21 are further bent intermediate their ends to provide apair of prongs 18. The prongs 18 extend in a plane at an angle to theplane of the balance of the member which is secured on the support frame12 so that portions of the legs formations 21 adjoining the bightportion 19 span the area from the top bar 24, the crossbar 25, and thebottom gripping member 30 of the support frame 12. The leg formations 21are preferably attached to the backside of the top bar 24, the prongside of crossbar 25, and the backside of the bottom gripping member 30enabling a structure in which the welds of the legs of the support frame12 and the leg formations 21 of the prong assembly are under compressionwhile supporting the weight of the pork belly 46, shown in phantom, andthe welds of the gripping members 30 are under compression when thehanger 10 is being extracted from the belly 46 by a mechanical device.

The grip or handle 20 is formed by bending a section or length of bar orrod material into a U-shaped configuration with spaced apart legformations 32, 32′. The leg formations 32, 32′ are provided withinwardly extending segments 56, 58. The leg formations 32, 32′ arefurther bent to provide a pair of the prongs 18 and the assembly ismounted on the frame bars or rods 24, 25, 30. Specifically, the legformations 32, 32′ are attached to the backside of top bar 24, the prongside of the crossbar 25 and the backside of the bottom-gripping member30. The bight portion 33 which forms the grip or handle 20 is spacedabove the top frame bar 24 a sufficient distance to accommodate thefingers in grasping the same and may be bent out of the plane of theframe 12, as shown, in the direction of the prong assembly 16 to providea better balance in handling. The leg formations 32, 32′ may also bebent at intermediate points to provide the desired distance between theresulting prongs.

The bottom-gripping member 30 is welded to the prong side of legformations 26, 26′, 32, 32′ and the U-shaped members that form theremaining prongs 18. The bottom-gripping member 30 is welded at or nearthe point where the leg formations 26, 26′, 32, 32′ and the U-shapedmembers bend from the vertical to the horizontal. As noted above, amechanical gripping device (not shown) may engage the space 74 definedbetween the bottom gripping bar 30 and the spacing bar 70 to pull thehanger 10 away from the pork belly, shown in phantom at 46, therebyeliminating the need for direct human grasping of the hanger and workingthe hanger out of the pork belly 46 protecting the integrity of thehanger and protecting the worker from injury.

The hook-forming bracket 14, which is provided to mount the supportframe 12 on a rack or support bar, indicated in phantom line at 40, isformed from a length or section of bar or rod stock which is best shownto provide a downwardly opening hook 42 at the top and a straightterminal end section 44 for spanning the space between the top bar 24and crossbar 25 with an intermediate portion 43 bent to position thehook 42 in a vertical plane offset from the plane of the frame 12 forbetter balance in handling. The upper portion 45 connects the hook 42 tothe intermediate portion 43. The intermediate portion 43 is preferablyattached to the prong side of bight portion 33 of hand-gripping member20 and the backside of the bight portion 24 of the support frame 12. Theend section 44 is preferably attached to the prong side of crossbar 25.Thus, all weld intersections are preferably under compression whilesupporting the weight of the pork belly 46

In the form shown in FIG. 2, the angle of the prongs 18 relative to theangle of the hook 42 is so determined to have the prongs in a plane at aslight angle above horizontal. When a belly is on the hanger thiseliminates the possibility of the belly slipping off the hanger.

In using the hanger 10, one or more pork bellies 46 may be suspendeddepending upon their size relative to the size of the hanger 10. Theprong assembly 16 may be conveniently engaged in the top marginalportion of the meat while the user grasps the hanger grip member 20.When the withdrawal of the prong assembly 16 is desired it isfacilitated by utilizing a mechanical gripping device (not shown) toengage the space 74 and pull in the direction away from the pork belly46 thereby exerting a direct withdrawal force substantially in the planeof the prong assembly 16.

When the bacon hanger 10 is not in use, it can be easily stored stackedor nested with other bacon hangers. The elimination of any rearsideoffsets, as provided in the prior art, in combination with the space 74permits such easy storage while still accommodating the latch of amechanical device for removing the belly from the hanger 10.

The force distributing strut member 75, which is provided to transmitthe forces between the support frame 12 and the hook-forming bracket 14is preferably formed from a length or section of bar or rod stock. Theforce distributing strut member 75 preferably attaches on the prong sideof the hanger 10. The force distributing strut member 75 has a first end76, an intermediate portion 77 and a second end 78. The first end 76 ofthe force distributing strut member 75 is preferably attached to theprong side of the upper portion 45 of the hook forming bracket 14 at alocation above the point where the intermediate portion 43 of the hookforming bracket 42 is attached to the bight portion 33 of the grip orhandle 20. The intermediate portion 77 of the force distribution member75 is preferably attached to the bight portion 33 of the grip or handle20. The force distributing strut member 75 then extends in a downwardlydirection away from the opening hook 42. The intermediate portion 77 ofthe force distributing strut member 75 preferably attaches to the prongside of the bight portion 33 of the grip or handle 20. The forcedistributing strut member 75 continues in a downwardly direction awayfrom the opening hook 42 and the second end 78 of the force distributingstrut member 75 preferably attaches to the of support frame 12.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The hanger 10of FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIG. 2, one difference being that thebottom gripping member 30 includes an offset 22. Also, FIG. 3. shows anembodiment that eliminates the spacing crossbar 70 and the grip orhandle 20 is configured to accommodate yet another set of prongs 18between its leg formations 32, 32′.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The hanger 10of FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, the difference being that bottomgripping member 30 and spacing crossbar 70 are eliminated.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The hanger 10of FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, one difference being that the top framebar 79 replaces the top bar 24 of the support frame shown in FIG. 4. Thegrip or handle 20 may be formed by bending a section or length of bar orrod material into a U-shaped configuration with spaced apart legformations 32, 32′ which are further bent to provide a pair of theprongs 18 and the assembly is mounted on the frame bars or rods 25 and79. Specifically, the leg formations 32, 32′ are attached to thebackside of the top frame bar 79 and the prong side of the crossbar 25.The bight portion 33 of the grip or handle 20 is spaced above the topframe bar 79 a sufficient distance to accommodate the fingers ingrasping the same and may be bent out of the plane of the frameconsisting of top frame bar 79 and crossbar 25, as shown, in thedirection of the prong assembly 16 to provide a better balance inhandling. The leg formations 32, 32′ may also be bent at intermediatepoints to provide the desired distance between the resulting prongs.

In between and on either side of the two leg formations 32, 32′ areprongs 18 formed in pairs and attached to the top frame bar 79 andcrossbar 25. Each pair of prongs 18 is formed from a section or lengthof rod or bar stock by bending it into U-shape to provide a bightportion 19 and spaced parallel leg formations 21. The leg formations 21are further bent intermediate their ends to provide a pair of prongs 18.The prongs 18 extend in a plane at an angle to the plane of the balanceof the member which is secured on the frame bar 79 so that portions ofthe leg formations 21 adjoining the bight portion 19 span the area fromthe top frame bar 79 and the crossbar 25. The leg formations 21 arepreferably attached to the backside of the top frame bar 79 and theprong side of the crossbar 25.

The hook-forming bracket 14, which is provided to mount the support topframe bar 79 and crossbar 25 from a rack or support bar as indicated inphantom line at 40, is formed from a length or section of bar or rodstock which is best shown to provide a downwardly opening hook 42 at thetop and a straight terminal end section 44 for spanning the spacebetween the top bar 79 and crossbar 25 with an intermediate portion 43bent to position the hook 42 in a vertical plane offset from the planeof the frame bar 79 for better balance in handling. The upper portion 45connects the hook 42 to the intermediate portion 43. The intermediateportion 43 is preferably attached to the prong side of bight portion 33of hand-gripping member 20 and the backside of the bight portion 19 ofthe U-shaped prongs 18. The end section 44 is preferably attached to theprong side of crossbar 25.

The force distributing strut member 75, which is provided to transmitthe forces from the hook-forming bracket 14 to the frame bar 79 and thegrip or handle 20, is preferably formed from a length or section of baror rod stock. The force distributing strut member 75 preferably attacheson the prong side of hanger 10. The force distributing strut member 75has a first end 76, an intermediate portion 77 and a second end 78. Thefirst end 76 of the force distributing strut member 75 is preferablyattached to the prong side of the upper portion 45 of the hook formingbracket 14 at a location above the point where the intermediate portion43 is attached to the bight portion 33 of the grip or handle 20. Theintermediate portion 77 of the force distribution member 75 ispreferably attached to the bight portion 33 of the grip or handle 20.The force distributing strut member 75 then extends in a downwardlydirection away from the opening hook 42. The intermediate portion 77 ofthe force distributing strut member 75 preferably attaches to the prongside of the bright portion 33 of the grip or handle 20. The forcedistributing strut member 75 continues in a downwardly direction awayfrom the opening hook 42 and the second end 78 of the force distributingstrut member 75 preferably attaches to the top frame bar 79 on the prongside.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The hanger 10of FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4, one difference being that the grip orhandle 20 is eliminated and replaced with a U shaped prong 18.

Additionally, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment where the intermediate portion43 of the hook-forming bracket 14 is preferably attached to the prongside of the bight portion 19 of the U-shaped prong 18. The end section44 of the hook forming bracket 14 is preferably attached to the backsideof support frame 12 and the prong side of crossbar 25.

Further, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment with the first end 76 of the forcedistributing strut member 75 preferably attached to the prong side ofthe intermediate portion 43 of the hook forming bracket 14 at a locationabove the point where the upper portion 45 is attached to the bightportion 19 of the U shaped prong 18. The force distributing strut member75 then extends in a downwardly direction away from the opening hook 42.The intermediate portion 77 of the force distributing strut member 75preferably attaches to the prong side of the bright portion 24 of thesupport frame 12. The force distributing strut member 75 continues in adownwardly direction away from the opening hook 42 and the second end 78of the force distributing strut member 75 preferably attaches to thecrossbar 25 on the prong side. In sum, those skilled in the art willunderstand that the force distributing strut member may be utilized withany prior art bacon hanger configuration.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that theinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A hanger structure adapted for suspending a meat product duringprocessing comprising: a hook forming bracket that includes a hook, anupper portion, a middle portion and an end portion adapted to engage anoverhead structure and having a prong-side; a base frame depending fromthe hook forming bracket, the base frame having a prong-side and abackside; a prong assembly extending from the prong-side of the baseframe; a support frame; and a force distributing strut member havingfirst and second ends and an second intermediate portion, the first endbeing attached to the upper portion of the hook forming bracket, and thesecond end attached to the base frame to distribute forces.
 2. Thehanger structure of claim 1 wherein the first end of the forcedistributing strut member attaches to the prong side of the upperportion of the hook forming bracket and the second end attaches to theprong side of the base frame.
 3. The hanger structure of claim 1 whereinthe base frame comprises a plurality of bar members disposed generallyparallel to the common lateral plane of the prongs.
 4. The hangerstructure of claim 1 wherein the prong assembly comprises prongsarranged in pairs and the pairs of prongs are formed as terminal endsections of U-shaped rod members which have leg portions constituting apart of the base frame with the terminal end sections being bent at anangle to the plane of the base frame whereby the prongs extend in acommon lateral plane.
 5. The hanger structure in claim 1 wherein thehanger structure further includes a gripping member in the form of aninverted “U” shape having a bight portion and spaced leg portions eachhaving an angled intermediate section, a terminal end section, and aprong, the prong extending laterally from the meatside of the baseframe.
 6. The hanger structure in claim 1 wherein the intermediateportion of the hook forming bracket is connected to the bight portion ofthe gripping member.
 7. The hanger section in claim 1 wherein the secondintermediate portion of the force distribution member attaches to thebight portion of the gripping member.
 8. In an improved hanger structureadapted for suspending a meat product during processing, the hangerstructure having a hook forming bracket adapted to engage an overheadstructure, the hook forming bracket includes a hook, an upper portion, amiddle portion and an end portion having a prong-side, the hangerstructure further having a base frame, with a prong side and a backside,and a prong assembly extending from the prong-side of the base frame,the improvement comprising: a force distributing strut member attachingthe upper portion of the hook forming bracket to the base frame todistribute forces.
 9. The hanger structure of claim 8 wherein the prongassembly comprises prongs arranged in pairs and the pairs of prongs areformed as terminal end sections of U-shaped rod members which have legportions constituting a part of the base frame with the terminal endsections being bent at an angle to the plane of the base frame wherebythe prongs extend in a common lateral plane.
 10. The hanger structure ofclaim 8 wherein the base frame comprises a plurality of bar membersdisposed generally parallel to the common lateral plane of the prongs.11. The hanger structure of claim 8 wherein the end portion of the hookforming bracket is attached to the base frame.
 12. A hanger structure asset forth in claim 8 wherein the base frame has a plurality of barmembers with at least a first bar member having first ends and generallyparallel to a second bar member, the second bar member having secondends.
 13. A hanger structure as set for the in claim 12 wherein thefirst bar member is connected to the prong side of the base frame.
 14. Ahanger structure as set for in claim 12 wherein the second bar member isconnected to the backside of the base frame.
 15. The hanger structure ofclaim 8 wherein the force distributing strut member has a first end anda second end.
 16. The hanger structure of claim 15 wherein the first endof the force distributing strut member attaches to the prong side of theupper portion of the hook forming bracket and the second end attaches tothe prong side of the base frame.
 17. The hanger structure in claim 8wherein the hanger structure further includes a gripping member in theform of an inverted “U” shape having a bight portion and spaced legportions each having an angled intermediate section, a terminal endsection, and a prong, the prong extending laterally from the meatside ofthe base frame.
 18. The hanger structure in claim 17 wherein theintermediate portion of the hook forming bracket is connected to thebight portion of the gripping member.
 19. The hanger section in claim 8wherein the second intermediate portion of the force distribution memberattaches to the bight portion of the gripping member.